A recent international study reveals that women experiencing moment-to-moment anxiety may have notably less insight into their internal bodily signals, such as breathing, compared with men. Published in the European Journal of Neuroscience and summarized by PsyPost, the findings offer fresh clues about why anxiety manifests differently across genders and could influence mental health approaches in Thailand and beyond.
In Thailand, anxiety rates are rising amid economic pressures, intense academic competition, and rapid social change. The World Health Organization notes that women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop anxiety disorders. Data from Thai health research mirrors this pattern among young people and working adults. The new study adds depth by showing that, beyond prevalence, women may struggle more with interoceptive insight—the ability to link internal sensations with emotions or mental states.
Interoception refers to sensing internal bodily signals such as heartbeat, breath, and chest sensations. Accurately interpreting these signals is key to emotional regulation and health. When anxiety makes you misread bodily cues, you might pursue calming strategies instead of unnecessary medical visits.
The study involved 175 healthy adults across four European research centers, led by Olivia Harrison of the University of Otago. Participants completed state-anxiety and trait-anxiety assessments and then completed a breathing task with occasional subtle inhalation resistances. After each trial, they reported whether they detected the resistance and how confident they were in their judgments.
Both genders detected breathing changes with similar accuracy. However, higher state anxiety was linked to lower confidence in one’s judgments, a phenomenon known as metacognitive bias. More importantly, the researchers found that metacognitive insight—the alignment between confidence and actual performance—was negatively affected by state anxiety only in women. In simple terms, anxious women tended to doubt their ability to notice bodily changes, with confidence not matching reality as closely as in men.
Dr. Harrison commented that, on average, men and women show similar interoception and insight for breathing. Yet, the link between in-the-moment anxiety and interoceptive insight differs by gender: greater state anxiety relates to poorer insight in women, while no such pattern exists for men. This pattern did not extend to trait anxiety or depression, underscoring the specific significance of state anxiety for women.
This science resonates with Thai experiences, where cultural expectations often push women to appear composed and prioritize harmony. A Bangkok psychiatrist, who was not involved in the study, notes that Thai women may underrecognize stress and bodily cues due to social norms. “Girls learn early to suppress strong feelings to protect family and avoid causing worry. Over time, that can blur the line between stress, anxiety, and physical symptoms,” the psychiatrist explains. Clinicians often see students and young professionals with headaches, palpitations, or fatigue that may reflect anxiety rather than a physical illness.
Thai mental health surveys echo this pattern: women are overrepresented in clinics for unexplained symptoms—somatization—potentially linked to reduced interoceptive awareness. The current study suggests that addressing body awareness could help reduce distress in anxious women.
For clinicians, teachers, and families supporting those with anxiety, the takeaway is clear. Simply telling someone to “calm down” may worsen uncertainty. Targeted therapies that rebuild confidence in bodily signals—such as mindfulness, breathwork, and biofeedback—could be especially beneficial for women experiencing state anxiety.
While the study’s design was robust, the researchers acknowledge limits. It is cross-sectional, so causality is unclear. Differences between study sites and the focus on breathing interoception leave room to explore other bodily signals in future work. Researchers hope to collaborate with Thai universities and hospitals to examine whether similar gender-specific effects exist for other sensations and in different cultural contexts.
This work aligns with growing evidence on gender, anxiety, and bodily awareness. Earlier research links low interoceptive awareness and concerns about body image to depression and disordered eating in women, highlighting a potential path for interventions, especially among minority communities.
Practical guidance for Thai readers: if frequent bodily discomfort or sudden breathing changes occur, consider whether current stress or anxiety could be a factor. Mindfulness practices, gentle breathwork, and body-awareness exercises have shown benefits in Thai and international studies. Healthcare providers can support patients by asking about physical and psychological stress and validating concerns, rather than assuming symptoms are purely physical.
Thailand’s mental health community is moving toward personalized care. Understanding the mind-body connection, particularly for women facing anxiety, may improve well-being and reduce distress. If you notice persistent symptoms, seek care from a reputable health facility and explore evidence-based mindfulness and breathing programs in your area.
For further information on anxiety and interoceptive awareness, consult resources from Thailand’s health authorities and trusted mental health centers, and consider evidence-based programs available locally.
Notes for readers: This article references research from multiple institutions and summarizes findings related to interoception and gender differences in anxiety. All institutional descriptions appear within the article to maintain clarity and privacy.